Do you ever feel weighed down by the demands, responsibilities and challenges of life? I know I have. Maybe that’s why I find comfort in the story of Moses, placed in a basket and held safely by God.

Do you remember the story of Moses, put into the basket by his momma? The one the Lord safely held until he was rescued from the water? That baby grew to be a man who knew the Lord as a friend and recognized that God’s presence makes all the difference.

As Moses led God’s people out of Egypt, where they had been enslaved for more than four hundred years, he said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me” (Exodus 33:12).

The Lord answered, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you” (Exodus 33:14).

Doesn’t that sound pretty similar to what Jesus said?

Two thousand years later, Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Across Scripture and generations, the Lord promises that His presence brings rest. This truth remains for you and for me.

God is with us and offers us peace in His presence. In this very moment—arms extended, pierced hands beckoning—He is whispering to you, specifically by name: Come find rest.

Let’s do something together. Let’s shift our focus one more time and remember just how close Jesus really is. Imagine with me for a moment that you look up and see Jesus walking through the door nearest to you. Perfect Love fills the space. He’s there just to speak to you.

You inhale deeply—and peace fills you like warm, sweet air. It spreads through your whole being. As Jesus comes closer, everything else goes out of focus. You’re captivated by His face, and you feel calmer just seeing Him. But He doesn’t just stand there nearby. He opens His arms, and you fall into Him. There’s so much you want to say, but He already knows. 

Your heart beats in rhythm with His. Your chest rises and falls in sync with His every breath. The tension in your body has released, the fear has melted, the worries quiet, and you really do feel safe. You’re not looking forward to tomorrow. You’re not replaying yesterday. You’re just right here, right now, with Him. Don’t rush on. Close your eyes. Listen. Pause for just a moment to become aware of His presence.

It’s in a moment of connection with our Creator that we realize how much of our lives are spent distracted from Him, unaware of His presence. Desperately needing Him, we look everywhere else for the rest that only He offers. Busy, perhaps, with even the best things but neglecting the one thing that is needed.

What do you need to tell Him? What do you need Him to do for you? What heaviness do you need Him to take? It has been so much, hasn’t it? It has been so heavy. And you have been so strong. Really. You have tried so hard and carried so much with tremendous grace under pressure. I want you to imagine that, as the Lord holds you, you have in your hands those things you’ve held so tightly. You can’t hold both. You cannot keep your grasp on them while also clinging to Jesus. 

So He gently places His hand over yours. He holds His other hand underneath, and He kindly slips those things you’ve been carrying into His own love-pierced hands. As you let go, you realize just how heavy those burdens have been. He knows. He loves you, and He cares so deeply about everything you’ve been trying to deal with on your own. Your job is to receive the rest He offers. Your job is to stay in step with Him. His job is everything else.

Do you hear Him whispering to you right now?

• Come to Me…because I know you have been carrying the mental load for your family.
• Come to Me…because I know you’re burned-out and exhausted.
• Come to Me…because I know you have tried and tried on your own.
• Come to Me…because I know you want wisdom, and Google doesn’t have all the answers.
• Come to Me…because your mind and your body need total restoration.
• Come to Me…because I am your healer and your hope.
• Come to Me…because I am the Savior of every part of your story.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Adapted from Healing Rest by Becky Thompson. Copyright © 2025 by Becky Thompson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.harpercollinschristian.com

For deeper reflection, listen to Exodus 33 today.

Listen to our interview today with Becky and be encouraged!